Here are the top 15 stories everyone's talking about this morning:
1. TORONTO FC WINNING THE OFFSEASON
Toronto FC continued their offseason strengthening on Friday, acquiring Steven Beitashour from the Vancouver Whitecaps and Canadian international Will Johnson from the Portland Timbers. Johnson watched from the sidelines as Portland won the league title earlier this month and is keen to help his hometown team lift an MLS Cup of their own.
2. BENDIK JOINS ORLANDO
Orlando City may have found their new goalkeeper: The club announced on Monday that they have signed Joe Bendik to a new contract after acquiring his rights from Toronto FC. But will he have to compete for the starting spot?
3. FREE AGENT JOINS CREW
The Columbus Crew SC added a new piece to their back line with the signing of former Houston Dynamo and Orlando City defender Corey Ashe, a two-time All-Star who can help the MLS Cup runners-up replace the departed Chris Klute.
4. NEUMANN TO RETURN, REVS' BIG NAMES UNSURE
The New England Revolution have ensured that another important part of their team will be back in 2016 after agreeing to a new deal with midfielder Steve Neumann. However, it looks like a deal for Designated Player Jermaine Jones could be a lot harder to reach, after the US international made his displeasure known on Twitter, and rumors are swirling about Lee Nguyen.
5. WHAT DOES FUTURE HOLD FOR D.C. UNITED?
What can D.C. United fans expect from their new stadium? The club’s managing general partner, Jason Levien, gave some interesting hints and discussed how long they expect to remain at RFK Stadium. Levien also discussed the team’s current roster and whether or not a deal can be reached with Perry Kitchen.
6. LAFC SET OUT AMBITIOUS GOALS
According to LAFC's new vice president of soccer operations, the expansion club will look to establish a fan base and believe “it is our mission to unite LA around soccer.” John Thorrington also explains why and how he chose to join the new franchise.
7. DESIGN AND LOCATION
While Atlanta United have found an architect to help them make their new training facility a reality, New York City FC are still trying to identify a suitable location for their own purpose-built soccer stadium. Could that hunt see them once again looking to Queens?
8. READY FOR SOME RUMORS?
TFC ex and one-time Irish international Darren O’Dea has offered further thoughts on a potential move back to MLS, one of many rumors doing the rounds over the weekend. Here's a few: the Montreal Impact are apparently beating out other clubs to sign Panamanian Pedro Jeanine, Atlanta United are being linked with another Panamanian, James McFadden is supposedly set to sign with the Philadelphia Union and Montreal have strongly denied reports linking Didier Drogba with an emergency return to Chelsea.
9. DYNAMO SIGN FIRST USL PLAYER
The Houston Dynamo signed academy striker Juan “Charly” Flores as the first player for their USL side, Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, with Dynamo head coach Owen Coyle and general manager Matt Jordan both declaring their delight in watching Flores continue his development. He will be joined in South Texas by Houston Homegrown Player Christian Lucatero.
10. A SIMPLE INVITATION
The Portland Timbers revealed plans for next February’s Simple Invitational, the annual preseason tournament held in the Rose City. The Chicago Fire, Vancouver Whitecaps and future MLS side Minnesota United will all play alongside and against the Timbers.
11. MIAZGA STILL EYEING A MOVE?
A stellar 2015 for Matt Miazga has ended with the New York Red Bulls defender being named US Soccer’s Young Male Player of the Year. However, will Miazga be a Red Bulls player much longer? The latest rumors suggest the 20-year-old is looking hard at a move to Europe, while the Red Bulls themseves look set to sign four more players to Homegrown Player contracts.
12. JURGEN TALKS JANUARY CAMP
With the US national team’s January camp just around the corner, Jurgen Klinsmann revealed his plans for the year’s opening event, with hopes to successfully integrate both senior stars and US U-23 players into next year’s camp.
13. THE BRADLEYS
Michael Bradley was named Futbol de Primera’s Player of the Year, an honor from the Miami-based radio broadcaster awarded to the best US player each year. Meanwhile Michael's father, Bob Bradley, has been explaining why he chose France as the next stop in his coaching career.
14. CANADIAN OF THE YEAR
Atiba Hutchinson was named Canadian Soccer's Male Player of the Year, becoming only the second player, after Dwayne De Rosario, to win the award on four separate occasions.
15. MEXICAN MOVERS
Mexican internationals were also on the move over the weekend. Despite rumoured interest from MLS, Marco Fabian is on his way to Germany, while former Red Bulls player and US national team nemesis Rafa Marquez looks set to re-join Atlas.
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